Wobbly Tuesday
You can't have a good negotiation here without a wobble. Remember John Taylor telling reporters not long before the Good Friday Agreement that he wouldn't touch the deal with a forty foot pole.
No-one came out with anything so definitive in the Great Hall today. But after optimism that the other party leaders were being briefed on a potential deal, came the realisation that the DUP and Sinn Fein were holding separate briefings, so not much unit there.
The other parties by and large obeyed instructions to stay tight lipped. Today was the first time I can recall when Stormont Live was entirely bereft of guests from the five main parties - the mantra was "whatever you say, say nothing".
But that didn't stop reports that the DUP and Sinn Fein had veered apart on the crucial issue of parades, or that the meetings had laid bare the poor relations between the First and Deputy First. It was rumoured that Sinn Fein had put down a midnight deadline for a deal, but tonight I'm told this might no longer be in play.
Republicans seem concerned that the DUP's insistence on the need to get other parties on side could just be another stalling tactic. They want a date for devolving justice and they want it now. Some say they would also like the two Prime Ministers to get involved.
The Secretary of State and the Irish Foreign Minister are expected to meet at Hillsborough later this evening. Martin McGuinness is due to meet both of them seperately. The question I cannot answer tonight (but would like to be able to) is exactly how long Sinn Fein will give these negotiations before their patience runs out.
P.S. For alliterative purposes it would of course been better if the wobble had been on a Wednesday. Any suggestions for alternative adjectives gratefully accepted.
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